Some Useful Steps To Follow In Fabricating The Hot Rod Frames

By Frank Price


One of the types of classic and old American cars that are often being used by people before are the hot rods. These type of cars contain large engines. These also are being modified of having linear speed. Until now, the names origin remains unclear but there are still some accepted origins. One of these accepted ones is the camshaft replacement into a newer and hotter version which is also referred to as hot sticks or hot rods.

One very important part of a hot rod is the frame. This article will give you the simple techniques about the processes involved in the fabrication of hot rod frames. And also, this article will give you the techniques for the ladder frame type.

First, cutting the sections of frames. Have a sketch of the frame that you will be making before you go to the shops in order to turn your dream into a reality. So using the measurements from the plan that you have made, cut all side rails and as well as the 2 elements of rear kick ups which are often referred to as the Z. The size of tubing is highly dependent on the engine, horsepower, and on the amount of X and K member supports.

Second is to create the front frame horn. Though this may not be really that necessary, to have a horn for front frames may give more attractive appearance to rails of frame. The shape of frames may also make chassis stand out from a typical corner square cut of tubing. In creating the horn, sketch first the pattern on paper stocks.

In this case, you may be needing to an experiment first so that you can know that the perfect and correct proportion and size of tubing. Then after, you cut the pattern out and transfer it into the outlines of tubing. Cut the tubing with the use of a grinder with thin blade cutting wheels or metal bladed saber saws. For bending the top part of the piece, you may use clamps or some hammer works.

Third is constructing side rails. In this step, side rails will be welded. To be able to make frames that are more stable, aside from doing the welding, hidden gussets may also be utilized. These gussets will help in reinforcing the frames in critical joints. Hiding the gussets in a tubing is recommended for slap avoidance of gussets.

After doing this, hidden gussets are being plug welded. But before this, it is important to make sure that rail sections are square and are true. This may be done through slipping together the sections which are prepared for gussets. Be mindful of all measurements for matching the length of all the sections.

Fourth is fastening cross members. All side side rails must be clamped together in order to scribe better the line matching that are used for the cross members to be positioned. After clamping, put a mark on the points of reference as basis for the installment of front suspension components, transmission mount, other brackets, and other mounts.

Most of these ladder types usually have a cross member. These cross members may either be found on top and front parts of a frame. And normally, cross members double just as the transmission mount doubles.




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